To my dearest Geordie…

For days I have been staring at the blank paper in front of me unable to write anything. 

How does one begin to convey this immeasurable sadness within?  Or reduce the last 45 years into a few paragraphs? 

The epic journey we have shared together – the hardships and the victories, thousands of concerts, the multiple lives we have experienced together in this short life across the world.  None of it would have been possible without your unfaltering resolve. When the going got tough and the money ran out, others left – you never.

Over four and a half decades the only constant witness was you. 

The only individual to have attended every single KJ concert and recording since our genesis.

All of us who have ever loved KJ owe so much to you.  I am overwhelmed by grief; nothing can fill the terrible void you have left for you were the other part of me.

I spent more of my life with you than my own blood brother, or any other human being for that matter. And, although in recent years we were separated by my sobriety, you always knew I was never far away from you, and you could rely on me if you needed me. I wish I could’ve been by your side in your final hours to give you comfort. 

Nevertheless, I take solace that your dad Ron, Terry Cox, Raven, and Alan Glover were all waiting for you on the other side, and that you will wait for me when my time comes.  We found each other before, and we will do so again.

I want you to know how privileged I feel to have been the first person you met in London back in the seventies, and one of the last people to have an in-depth conversation with you before your parting. I know of your hopes, musical aspirations, and remaining goals for KJ – radical changes which you were both passionate and empathetic about. I know you will whisper in my ear and guide me in all my future endeavours.  Thy will be done.

Few will ever know that you were a master cabalist or anything of our secret quest for hidden knowledge. Or that it was you who discovered the holy island of Cythera where I hope your children and loved ones will gather in your memory on some sunny day in the future. And no one realises that you and I had planned to go to Prague, the Golden City, as far back as the early eighties which gives me great comfort – much in the same way that Raven left this world in a KJ city (Geneva).  So many times, we had returned to Prague together after long tours, so many times you thanked me for bringing you to our beloved city where you will be remembered alongside Dvorak, Kafka and other great souls who inhabited these hallowed grounds.

Sometimes you would mention how proud you were of our band and looking through my texts from you, I note your happiness and amusement that The Death and Resurrection Show was the last piece of music Jeff Beck played before he too left this world.

Geordie, my beloved brother, you live in my heart for evermore.  I shall never recover from your passing. Your work will shine on ‘til the end of time.

Your loyal and ever-loving brother.

Jaz